The Cirkel Awards 2026 went to Solutions on Silicon from Nijmegen and Angel Soaps from Druten.
Solutions on Silicon won the Cirkel Award for established companies. Angel Soaps took home the Startup Cirkel Award. Both companies demonstrate that circular entrepreneurship leads to innovation, resource conservation and new economic opportunities.
The awards were presented by jury chair Marije Klomp and Alexandra van Huffelen ( chair of The Economic Board Arnhem-Nijmegen Region and chair of the Executive Board of Radboud University). This took place during the Lifeport Circular Festival at Bloemenpark Appeltern.
The jury assessed the finalists on criteria including innovative strength, impact, position on the R-ladder and scalability. The Cirkel Awards are an initiative of the Lifeport@ Circular Council for the Rijk van Nijmegen region.
Second life for high-quality technology
Winner of The Circle Award 2026 is Solutions on Silicon. The Nijmegen-based company has focused on extending the lifespan of complex semiconductor machines for more than 20 years.
While many companies focus on new technology, Solutions on Silicon actually looks at the power of existing machines. Machines are converted for new applications and redeployed in the market. In the process, as much as 90 to 95 per cent of the materials are reused.
With this approach, the company prevents waste of high-quality materials and components and makes an important contribution to a more circular high-tech sector. Meanwhile, Solutions on Silicon operates worldwide and is regularly asked to help design and convert entire factories and innovative chip technology.
Waste-free soap
Most circular start-up of 2026 The Startup Circle Award 2026 goes to Angel Soaps from Druten.
Founder Vahid developed an innovative alternative to traditional liquid soap: wafer-thin soap leaves that dissolve directly in water. This eliminates the need for plastic bottles, packaging materials and the transport of large quantities of water.
The products are plant-based, vegan, zero waste and packaged in sustainable materials. After a development and certification process of almost two years, Angel Soaps managed to launch a product that combines sustainability, design and ease of use.
Finalists
Besides the winners, Excluton (Druten) and Stichting Vierdaagsefeesten (Nijmegen) were also in the finals of De Cirkel Award.
In the Startup Circle category, Stichting Van Hier (Nijmegen) and PID Atelier (Nijmegen) reached the finals.
The jury expresses its appreciation for all finalists, who each contribute in their own way to a circular economy in the Rijk van Nijmegen.
About Lifeport@ Circular Council
The Circle Awards are an initiative of the Lifeport@ Circular Council, a coalition of companies, educational institutions and governments in the Rijk van Nijmegen region. The Awards showcase entrepreneurs who demonstrate how circularity works in practice and what opportunities this offers for the future.
"This year's finalists show that circularity is not tied to one sector or one type of company," said jury chair Marije Klomp. "From high-tech and manufacturing to consumer products and food chains: entrepreneurs are emerging everywhere who show that smarter use of raw materials goes hand in hand with innovation and entrepreneurship."
